Note 8 - Derivative Financial Instruments

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2011

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Text Block]

NOTE 8 – DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

We record derivative financial instruments in the balance sheet as either an asset or liability at fair value based on the active market in which the derivative financial instrument is traded, with classification as current or long-term depending on the duration of the instrument.

Changes in the derivative instrument’s fair value must be recognized currently in earnings unless specific hedge accounting criteria are met.  For cash flow hedges that meet the criteria, the derivative instrument’s gains and losses, to the extent effective, are recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income and reclassified into earnings in the same period during which the hedged transaction affects earnings.

On February 6, 2009, we entered into a $10.0 million interest rate swap agreement with an effective date of February 19, 2009.  The rate on the swap was fixed at 1.57% until its expiration date of February 19, 2011. The interest rate swap agreement was accounted for as a cash flow hedge.

On May 25, 2010, we entered into a contract to hedge approximately 0.5 million gallons of diesel fuel per month for the time period of July 2010 through June 2012.  Under this agreement, we pay a fixed rate per gallon of heating oil and receive the monthly average price of NYMEX HO heating oil.  As diesel fuel is not a traded commodity on the futures market, heating oil is used as a substitute for diesel fuel as prices for both generally move in similar directions.

On June 28, 2010, the Company sold its contract related to the forecasted purchase of diesel fuel for the time period of July 2010 through June 2012 to lock in related gains.  The purchase contract had not been designated as a hedge; therefore, the related gain was recorded as a reduction in fuel expense of approximately $1.2 million on a pre-tax basis and on a net of tax basis of approximately $0.7 million or $0.07 per share.